The SLA’s military operation in the Mannar district and Kilinochchi district alone is reported to have caused the displacement of more than 200,000.
Selvarajah Gajendran, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) from Jaffna District commenting on their plight said:
“(t)he Vanni is under a virtual siege, while nobody seems able or willing to prevent an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.”
Mr. Paul O’Callaghan, Executive Director, Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), while speaking to Australia’s ABC Radio has warned:
“Apart from the direct military conflict we would expect that many, many people will die or be in extreme circumstances if humanitarian workers are not able to access this area,”.
And, Rev. Fr. S.J. Emmanuel, former Vicar General of Vanni region has called for immediatet action and points out:
“The Government of Sri Lanka doesn’t allow international media personnel into the war zone. All communication and supplies are cut off. Even the officials of the administration of the Sri Lankan government are being withdrawn. The already ill-equipped districts are now overcrowded with internally displaced people from other parts of Vanni who seek protection from the atrocities of the Sri Lankan forces. Sri Lanka government has forfeited Tamils as its citizens. Its attitude and actions are that of an invading country in an enemy’s territory.”
What more do we need to hear, before we act?
It is time for immediate world action to save the thousands of IDPs still languising under trees and make-shift shelters from near imminent death.
